Controlling Water Temperature

[Bradly]

I was wondering if Bob C or anyone else living in climate similar to Southern California can give me a heads up as to what to expect as far as water temp control and how extensive that may become.

 

I live in the "high desert" and I will be planning to start the system up outside each spring about April 1st where it gets down to 35 at nights sometimes, and about 70 during the days.  Then in summers the normal is 65 degrees in the morning and 90-95 in afternoons.  (The extreme days like today will be 106 degrees but I'm working on a "cooler" design to assist with the high extreme heat days).

 

I'm planning on using my butterfly Koi to "cycle up" the system at first in early spring (which will live in the house during winter), the koi will be able to handle the slightly chillier water (but I do intend to heat the water for the first little while).  Then once the water gets to be about 65 degrees my plan is to move the Tilapia outside and continue with a little heat for the water (the tilapia will have been growing inside the house in a heated aquarium) and then remove the Koi back into the house either slowly or all at once depending on how big the Tilapia are when they replace the koi.

Do you think my plan is realistic...or will keeping the water temp up be impossible?

2nd question... in the summer with 65 degrees at night and 90 during the day... what will I likely typically see...water that is too hot, or too cool, or will it probably be about right with little temperature controlling needed ?  (If the guess is too hot, then I'll paint the grow bed sides and totally shield the fish tank from the sun...but if too cool will be the situation-I'll paint the fish tank exterior black as well as the grow beds.

 

Just trying to get a basic idea... I'm planing on ordering a 1000w heater for the 275 gallon fish tank and it's 180 gallon companion sump tank.  (4 grow beds 4'x4' made from IBC totes).

(I'm going to be adding the river rock this week, and waiting on a new laptop so I can then post pics and info I've been gathering during all this process which might help other new guys like me!)  :-)

 

[Mikhael]

I have a similar set up running since Jan.  275 tank, 150 gal sump 3 grow beds 4X4 60 Fish started with 100 (blue Tilapia). I too am in the High desert of CA and had to paint my tank and add mylar insulation and no direct sunlight (learned this lesson the hard way) . (Silver bubble wrap at Lowes) this works good and I am running 2 300w aquarium heaters that come on at 60f shut off at 75f

The only issue I have had is my air supply was too small and direct sunlight cause a algae bloom, lost fish, I now have 600gph of air with 4 round  air stones and the water temp on the hottest days is 87f fish seem very happy and hungry and growing fast. The water cools to about 78 to 80f at night.

This worked for me

I hope the helps

Mike

[Mikhael]

I also added a secondary Bio filter to the system

[Bradly]

Hi Mikhael

I just emailed you back this morning.  Thanks for the response, I just got my laptop back on line this weekend so I've been computerless for a few days.

You painted your tank AND added mylar?  Was that to keep water cool, to stop algae, or to stop sun from breaking down the Tote Liner?

Thanks for the heads up on the air supply... what kind of air pump did you get?  (I was planning to order a Coralife Luft Pump...I'm gonna try to attach the PDF-review were good...just not sure how much air it really produces).

Bradly

PS- I did buy this really cool remote temperature reader so that I can read the outside temp, the fish tank water temp all from in the house.  Only cost $40...we'll see if it holds up.

 

[Bradly]

Mikhael

I just watched your video..and realized that I saw it about 2 weeks ago here on the AP site.  Nice greenhouse.  I have a 6'x8' that I use only for growing seeds and overwintering some dwarf citrus trees.  I enwrapped a EMT conduit frame with some solar pool cover bubble wrap and a zipper door so inside 1/2 of my greenhouse, so I can heat that 1/2 with a 300w heater.

I used to start seeds like March 1st, but changes to April 1st last year so by time I put plants in the ground on May 5th...they weren't very big...but they all grew and I'm getting produce now from my container garden and my dirt garden.

I think the extremes in temps are our biggest challenge.  I'm gonna fab up a DIY water heater from a water heater element and a thermostat this week... AFTER I get the leak in the Fish tank bottom sealed up that is.

Look forward to exchanging ideas more...I'm gonna post pics (of a little video if I can figure out how to do that) once i get all pumbing done and and system functioning.

Well, back to work for now

Thanks

Bradly

 PS- I saw your SCE hat,  I've worked in building work for 35 years, I draw electrical plans now for the last 4 years for an electrical contractor right next door to the SCE office on Francis St. in Ontario.  I also have good friend in high desert who works at SCE up there...and lots of friends down the hill in Rancho and Upland area who also work for SCE.

[Mikhael]

Yes to all of your questions on the paint and the mylar bubble wrap, keeps water cool/warm and prevents algae.

for the airation I went to 4 4" round stones and a 620gph sunleavesd diaphram air pump, it is kind of noisey but does the job well. got it for around 60 bucks at bear valley hydroponics.

I am familiar with the Ontario SCE location and I have done work for the SCE company and know a lot of really nice people who work for them.

Bradly said:

Hi Mikhael

I just emailed you back this morning.  Thanks for the response, I just got my laptop back on line this weekend so I've been computerless for a few days.

You painted your tank AND added mylar?  Was that to keep water cool, to stop algae, or to stop sun from breaking down the Tote Liner?

Thanks for the heads up on the air supply... what kind of air pump did you get?  (I was planning to order a Coralife Luft Pump...I'm gonna try to attach the PDF-review were good...just not sure how much air it really produces).

Bradly

PS- I did buy this really cool remote temperature reader so that I can read the outside temp, the fish tank water temp all from in the house.  Only cost $40...we'll see if it holds up.

 

[Bradly]

Mikhael

Thanks for replying.  I'm gonna reasearch that air pump.  At least I know that THAT one works at a dept of like 4' cause you have your stones on the bottom of a tote tank too.  (At least I assume you probably do). The hard part is that the Coralife LUft pump I was looking at doesn't give you GPH for the amount of air it puts out... but onr guy said he used it on his system and its very quiet and he says puts out tons of air.  At least I have 2 now to compare.

I guess I better wrap the fish tank with sunblocking tarps until I can get it painted and get some of that sun reflective sheeting installed.

Thanks much Mikhael

(I have to get a slow drip fixed in bottom of my fish tank tote this week... I'm researching and found that polyethelene doesn't like to be patched with just any silicone...at least that's what they say.  I did find some 3m product that will hold but it's like $90 so I think I'll do some of my own "sticking" tests on the left over tote top piece I have. This stuff gets expensive! :-)